Feral/Stray Momma Cat

I have a feral/stray that I've been feeding nightly for around 6 months now. She's accustomed to my presence and doesn't scurry off anymore. Today she came up to me, let me hold her, pat her and pick her up. She's in the early stages of labor, was meowing and contracting and very clingy.

She hasn't been back since I left to the store (to get some soft cat food and KMR just in case) so I'm wondering what I can best do to ensure that we can get the kittens adopted, and TNR her? We have two dogs and a toddler therefore keeping the cats long term isn't an option for us, but I would at least like for them to have a chance.

So, if she returns tonight and goes into labor in my presence, would it be a bad idea to let her labor and nest in the bathroom? I got a medium sized travel dog kennel to that is outside right now lined with towels just in case. I feel like I'm in over my head a little..:lol

You are off to a good start.  If she comes back moving her inside is the best option for her and the kittens.  If she doesn't come back hopefully she is close enough to come to you for food.  BTW you can feed her the KMR as well, she will need the extra nutrition to feed her kittens.  Have you tried calling her or opening aome food or tuna to see if the scent will draw her to you?

There a quite a few articles at the top of this forum that you will find useful. All about birthing and kitten care.

Thank you Handsome Kitty! I've been reading the kitten links and will be feeding her the KMR as well. I'm hoping she comes back as she usually does in the evening. She was actually interested in coming inside so I'll be trying to draw her in to the bathroom and house her there as best I can, hopefully she'll still be pregnant at that point. We have some pretty vicious feral males on our street and I have no doubt those babies will not be safe in their presence.

I hope she does come back. Keep us updated.

Well, I've seen a handful of other cats just not her in my driveway tonight. Hanging out for another hour or so then turning in. I walked around the block looking for her but I know she's well hidden. I'm just not sure how far away she's wandered, but I can't imagine it being too far since I'm her primary food source, right?

She's a beauty though! This is from earlier: anyone have an idea what breed she might be?

She has most likely found a hiding place to have her babies. Wish you had put her inside earlier. Seems that is what she wanted. She may come back for food tomorrow, but will not be leaving her babies for long. Your challenge will be to try to follow her to find her nest, and bring them all back to your house. With all those cats around, if you leave food out, it may be difficult to determine if she is the one eating it. Bless you for caring and I hope you do see her again and can rescue her and her babies. Keep us posted!

Did you post a picture? It did not load.

I tried to post a photo, guess I'll have to try again. Trust me I wish I would have brought her inside to begin with. I'm kicking myself now because I knew I shouldn't have left her in the first place but I knew I needed a safe place for her as well. I have a carrying kennel so hopefully I can rescue them. Sleep will be hard to come by tonight!

Very pretty mama! I do hope you can locate this mama and her babies and rescue them. Please keep us posted. She needs food and care.

M mrsrincon

Any luck?

Yes! She came back around her normal morning time meowing at my door. I fed her a good amount of soft food and she was very affectionate. She looks smaller than yesterday (not by much) and has huge red nipples. I thought she might have had her babies already, but she's laying outside on her side taking a nap. I'm so relieved she's okay! Other than that, I really can't tell if she is still pregnant. I've felt for babies but couldn't feel them like yesterday. She's much softer and not contracting...but just lazily laying around.

If she's had the kittens I don't think she'll stay long.  You may have to follow her when she leaves.  What a  fun way to spend Saturday!

How long is long? It's been about 2 hours

It sounds as though she has had her kittens already. Her nipples are red from nursing by babies. She knows how long she can be gone, though since they are newborns a couple of hours should be it. Please try to follow her to see where the kittens are. If she's not overly hungry today it is because she ate the placentas. Hope you can follow her today!

I try to lure her out to follow her but she only wants by my side.

She's just sitting meowing at my door and unfortunately I can't be with her all day because of my own little one!

Let her in for a spell. She may want to look around to see if it's a safe place for her kittens.

When she is ready to leave, you can follow her. I'm sure the kittens are not far away, though they may be in someone else's yard.

Well she doesn't want none of that

Oh, she will not come in?

You can type "newborn kitten sounds" into youtube, and come up with videos of newborns mewing. If you play this next to her, she will likely go to her kittens. You'll need to keep playing it while you follow her.